[Emily94]

My 12 year old Dalmatian had a seizure April 12th, 2009. Since this we haven't walked him (This is what triggered it)and were to scared for it to happen on a road(He doesn't just sit there and shake, he runs around shaking, falling over, and digs his head into anything to try to stop himself). We now think that he is okay to go on short little walks. I was wondering, is there a certain leash we should use? Collar? Any other tips?

[Alty]

Do you know what's causing the seizures? Has your dog been to a vet? Is he on medications to stop the seizures?

My lab has epilepsy, has for around 8 years now and had many seizures, daily, it was horrible. The vet prescribed meds and he became a lump, no energy and they didn't completely stop the seizures.

We lucked out, got a vet that specializes in holistic medicine, he prescribed green beans. Indy has been on a greed bean diet (a few green beans mixed in with his daily dog food) since 2002 and he hasn't had a seizure since.

It wouldn't hurt to try. :)

[Emily94]

Yes he went to a vet, and the vet seemed to think it was stress/excitement and he just couldn't handle it(he hasn't really had ANY in his life, but the day he had the seizure he went on a walk(which since he is elderly he gets out of breath fast and seems to lose balance, so we don't take him as often as he would like), and then came back to the house, and there was a bunch of family over) . I do not want him on medication because in his 12 years he has had one only once, and I think medication is not needed at this time, and the vet said that if it happens on a regular basis I should, but for now it is fine.

For the green bean thing, do you cook them? Or just throw them in? I hate using chemicals and what not with my dogs (I even hate getting them there shots, but that has to be done). I'm planning on taking him on a walk today, and I was wondering if he has a seizure, what are some precautions to take. I can't bring a pillow for under his head and such, but my sister is going to stay home in case he does (So she can take him to a vet). Is there any tips you found helpful if they seizure on a walk?

-Also just so you know almost the full story and don't get really confused, about a month before his first actual seizure we were walking him, and there were other dogs tied up in a yard barking at him, he was pulling to go play, and when I pulled him back and kept walking a couple feet he stopped and hunched his back and started to whine we tried to move him so the other dogs were out of sight and then sat there for maybe 5 minutes waiting for him to go back to normal. He seemed to be in pain, and I had no idea what to do so we waited it out. And then about 2 weeks after that, he did it again. But this time we were walking down a gravel road and someone was riding a horse, he was barking at it and such, and then he hunched his back and started to whine. The vet seemed to think that these were mini seizures that just didn't turn into a full blown seizures.

[hheath541]

You could try an anti-pull harness. It might not keep him from running around, but it might help you control him a little more if he does have a seizure.

[Emily94]

I took him for a walk, and he did have a seizure. Would it be cruel to not take him anymore?

[hheath541]

Is there somewhere else you could walk him? Somewhere without other dogs and traffic, maybe?

[Emily94]

Today I just took him to the field, mostly for that reason. I didn't want him to have a seizure me not catch him in time and him take of and then get hit. It was when we were walking home. I could see him starting to shake so I got him to lay down and just held him there (other why's he runs and flips and rolls, and it's just a horrible sight).

[hheath541]

You could try alty's suggestion of green beans for a week or so and see if that helps.

[Emily94]

If you have ever seen a dog have a seizure it is the most horrid thing a person can see. I do not want to see that. If I give the green beans (which I plan on) I am to scared to take him again.

[Alty]

If you have ever seen a dog have a seizure it is the most horrid thing a person can see. I do not want to see that. If i give the green beans (which i plan on) i am to scared to take him again.

I know how you feel Emily. My dog Indy once had 20 seizures in one day. He'd collapse, foam at the mouth, shake and once he even stopped breathing. He also lost bladder and bowel control while seizing. I know how horrific it is.

I don't know for sure that green beans will work but they did for my dog. No meds, just green beans and he's been free of seizures (when he used to seize multiple times each day) since 2002.

Try it, you have nothing to lose and possibly tons to gain.

[Emily94]

Do you buy them fresh? And are they cooked?
I'm planning on growing a garden this summer, and it looks like green beans will take up most the garden :P. Did your dog ever seizure while taking a walk? If so what did you do?

My dog gives me fare warning he is about to seizure, he rams his head into my legs, and then shakes standing up, and I am able to get him on the ground before he has a full blown seizure.

Also I have done a lot of research, but I am wanting tips from someone with personal experience.
I read about the Post Ictal period, and it says that it could last only a couple minutes to a couple hours(his lasted about 20), and that usually they'd be extremely tired. My dog seemed to be very upset, so my mom decided to let him see our other two dogs, and now he seems to be 100% back to normal.
I was almost home so as soon as my dog started to seizure I called for my sister, she accidentally let out my other dog, who ran up to Chip (the one having the seizure) and laid his head on his belly. Through research I hear it is a bad thing to have other dogs around the one having seizures because "Pack instincts", but it seemed like my dog was trying to calm him down, next time it is to happen is it okay if I let him around (Since I think it helped, I was with him for 3 minutes before my other dog came and after maybe 30 seconds he snapped out of it and just laid there panting)?

[hheath541]

Sounds like you may have a seizure relief dog for you seizure-prone dog. I've heard of animals that help people come out of seizures, but not other animals.

Maybe you could try walking them together.

[Emily94]

My Dalmatian is a little to hyper and high-strung on walks, and I think he may step on my little dog. But I could try my sister walking one and I walking the other.

[hheath541]

My Dalmatian is a little to hyper and high-strung on walks, and i think he may step on my little dog. But i could try my sister walking one and i walking the other.

That would be good. It would also mean there's someone there to drag your little dog away if it seems like he's not handling things well or he tries to bite or something.

[Alty]

Do you buy them fresh? and are they cooked?
I'm planning on growing a garden this summer, and it looks like green beans will take up most the garden :P. Did your dog ever seizure while taking a walk? If so what did you do?

My dog gives me fare warning he is about to seizure, he rams his head into my legs, and then shakes standing up, and i am able to get him on the ground before he has a full blown seizure.

Also i have done a lot of research, but i am wanting tips from someone with personal experience.
I read about the Post Ictal period, and it says that it could last only a couple minutes to a couple hours(his lasted about 20), and that usually they'd be extremely tired. My dog seemed to be very upset, so my mom decided to let him see our other two dogs, and now he seems to be 100% back to normal.
I was almost home so as soon as my dog started to seizure i called for my sister, she accidentally let out my other dog, who ran up to Chip (the one having the seizure) and laid his head on his belly. Through research i hear it is a bad thing to have other dogs around the one having seizures because "Pack instincts", but it seemed like my dog was trying to calm him down, next time it is to happen is it okay if i let him around (Since i think it helped, i was with him for 3 minutes before my other dog came and after maybe 30 seconds he snapped out of it and just laid there panting)?

I use canned green beans because, don't laugh, my dogs tear up any garden I try to plant. Little buggers. ;)

You can either cook them or serve them raw, but if you cook them, steam them, don't boil, because boiling takes out some of the nutrients that help prevent the seizures. Just cut up or mush the green beans and mix them into the dogs food, otherwise he'll just give you the "what the heck are you feeding me?" look.

As for allowing another dog around while a dog is seizing, that really depends on the dogs IMO. We have three dogs, the lab (15 years old and the epilepsy sufferer) is the oldest. The middle dog Jasper was adopted shortly after Indy was on meds for his epilepsy. He often sat beside Indy while he was seizing and it seemed to help Indy get through it. Jasper was 4 months old at the time, he's now 8 years old and Indy has been seizure free for most of Jaspers life.

Indy never gave us a warning, I don't think he really had a chance to because he was seizing all of the time. It never ceased to be shocking and there was never a way to prepare for it. We'd often just sit beside him, hold his head because he would thrash around and wait for it to be over. He'd always be weak and disoriented afterwards. Every time it happened he couldn't get up or walk for many minutes, sometimes an hour, after the seizure was done. It was hearbreaking.

Like I said, we introduced green beans and took him off the meds and he hasn't had a seizure since. He's now 15 years old and still seizure free. I swear on green beans but I have to say, without a diagnosis of what's going on, I can only guess and hope that green beans will help. It worked in Indy's case but it may not work for your dog, it depends on what's causing this.

Either way, you really have nothing to lose in trying green beans. He's not on meds now, am I right? Green beans are okay for dogs and won't harm him. So try them, you may just stop the seizures and he'll get to live to the ripe old age of Indy, seizure free. :) That's my hope for you.

Here's my Indy, 15 years old, a bit worse for wear but still a wonderful family member. In short, we love him, as I'm sure you love your dog. Let me know how it goes. Try the green beans, every day. Okay?

Attachment 30138

[Emily94]

I have a lot of questions since this is kind of a new experience and I want to be as educated as possible.
Is it okay if there is more than one person trying to comfort the dog, or is it better to try to stick to the same person every time?

And also alty he is not on medication.
How much did you give your dog?
I'll tell my mom to pick up some green beans tonight (I'm pretty sure we don't have them kicking around:P) I guess I'm lucky because my dog will eat anything I place in front of him!

[Emily94]

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]
Thought I would add a photo too :)

[Alty]

He's a beauty. I love dalmations but I've always been weary of getting one because they're prone to deafness. It's a genetic trait and sadly, unless they're bred by a breeder that screens for that defect, most of the dalmations available inherit that trait.

Who's the little red head beside him on the first picture? I'd guess Chow mix. Don't tell me if I'm wrong, it will crush me. ;) Okay, tell me. :)

As for the green beans, half a can once a day, start with that and see if it has any effect. If it doesn't, then up it to one full can once a day.

Give it a good try before you up it or quit. It can take a while for the natural effects of green beans to kick in, sometimes 6 weeks or more, so give it at least that long.

I really would suggest seeing the vet to make sure that there are no issues. If the vet prescribes meds then suggest green beans or better yet, consult a holistic vet, I know I praise the day I lucked out in getting a vet that believed in natural medicine.

As for having green beans around, who does? They're totally yucky unless smothered in tons of cheese and seasoning. ;)

Let me know how it goes. Remember that this is trial and error, but don't give up. This is not something that you can offer once and then a miracle occurs. It's a daily thing and if it works, you will have to provide it daily or risk going back to the seizures. Trust me, this is much better then expensive prescribed meds that leave most dogs lethargic and worse.

Keep me posted. Know that I really recommend a vet visit and hope that you make an appointment asap. Most of all, I hope the green beans work and that you have many more years with your cutie. :)

[hheath541]

He's a beauty. I love dalmations but I've always been weary of getting one because they're prone to deafness. It's a genetic trait and sadly, unless they're bred by a breeder that screens for that defect, most of the dalmations available inherit that trait.

Who's the little red head beside him on the first picture? I'd guess Chow mix. Don't tell me if I'm wrong, it will crush me. ;) Okay, tell me. :)

As for the green beans, half a can once a day, start with that and see if it has any effect. If it doesn't, then up it to one full can once a day.

Give it a good try before you up it or quit. It can take a while for the natural effects of green beans to kick in, sometimes 6 weeks or more, so give it at least that long.

I really would suggest seeing the vet to make sure that there are no issues. If the vet prescribes meds then suggest green beans or better yet, consult a holistic vet, I know I praise the day I lucked out in getting a vet that believed in natural medicine.

As for having green beans around, who does? They're totally yucky unless smothered in tons of cheese and seasoning. ;)

Let me know how it goes. Remember that this is trial and error, but don't give up. This is not something that you can offer once and then a miracle occurs. It's a daily thing and if it works, you will have to provide it daily or risk going back to the seizures. Trust me, this is much better then expensive prescribed meds that leave most dogs lethargic and worse.

Keep me posted. Know that I really recommend a vet visit and hope that you make an appointment asap. Most of all, I hope the green beans work and that you have many more years with your cutie. :)

I like green beans, and happen to have some in my cupboard right now. I cook them with some butter and sugar. They're yummy.

[Emily94]

The little red one is my dog Duke, he is actually a Pekingese/ Jack Russell. The vet did some testing last time, I really don't remember exactly what, but what causes his seizures has to do with something in his brain aging (If I remember correctly), they can place him on pills that I give him daily but I see no point yet, the vet and I decided at this point in time they would cause more damage than good. There is also a surgery he can get, but the vet said that life/death is 50/50, and there is no way I'm letting him die without me.
I called the vet just to update them on his status, and they think if I was to take him there in the next week it might trigger a seizure, and to wait and see. Since it is believed to just be old age (I don't know if this is possible, but it is nice to believe that it is not something serious) the pro's of bringing him to the vet are outweighed by the con's. But don't worry I talked to the vet, and she's the one that said this, and I trust her 100%.
-They've checked for tumors, epilepsy, etc.